Dad’s Army
Hi, Gerard the Director here,
I am delighted to announce that I have decided, in conjunction with the Production Secretary, to involve as many ladies as possible in the Carver Theatre version of Dad’s Army that is playing between the 9th and 17th of May 2025.
At some time most people will have seen the TV show and have a good idea of the characters.
When staging a play based on a TV show the director has two options. Make a slavish copy of what went before, matching all the characters to how they looked on the TV. Or go for the essence of the character regardless of physical appearance. I am going for the later – so, with certain important bits, your appearance doesn’t matter.
I would love as many people as possible to be involved, so come along to the audition on the 9th of October because even the non-speaking parts have lots to add with their physical acting and reactions to what is going on around them. Ideal for anyone who fancies a chance to shine on the stage regardless of their acting experience.
Perhaps I should mention that for the chaps there are lots of guns to play around with and the girls get to dress up in 40’s outfits with tight waists, hats and gloves.
The script gives us a certain lee way of what to present so there will be two acts and a finale that includes a sing along sketch.
Below I have set out a very brief synopsis and the characters involved in each act.
Act One – The deadly attachment – 38 pages
The classic U-Boat captain “Don’t tell him your name Pike” episode.
Lots of rifles with bayonets, a Lewis gun, a Tommy gun, several Mills bombs, and two revolvers.
Guess whose trousers the grenade with the string tied to the pin ends up in?
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Captain Mainwaring |
Officious and bald (or the jokes don’t work). A bald wig can be provided. |
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Sergeant Wilson |
Smooth, urban and laconic, public school educated |
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Lance Corporal Jones |
They don’t like it up em! |
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Private Fraser |
Scottish and dour |
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Private Godfrey |
Very Old |
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Private Walker |
Cheeky Chappy |
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Private Pike |
Young and gangly |
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Private Hancock |
Small speaking part |
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Private Sponge |
Small speaking part |
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Colonel |
Serious army officer |
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U-Boat Captain |
Some German to speak, arrogant and intense. May need to smoke or at least light cigarettes |
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Chief Warden Hodges, ARP Warden |
Turn those lights off! |
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Mr Yeatman, The Verger |
Difficult to describe? |
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Other platoon members |
|
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Seven U-Boat sailors |
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Act Two – Mum’s Army – 30 pages
The ladies of Warmington-on-Sea are invited to become members of the platoon. Marching and gossip all in the same Act. The roles are very stereotypical of the time. Captain Mainwaring falls for the femme fatale of Mrs Gray. Perhaps a slight homage to the famous scene in Brief Encounter.
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Captain Mainwaring |
Officious and bald (or the jokes don’t work). A bald wig can be provided. |
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Sergeant Wilson |
Smooth and urban, ideal if can play a bit of piano |
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Corporal Jones |
They don’t like it up em! |
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Private Fraser |
Scottish and dour! |
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Private Godfrey |
Very Old |
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Private Walker |
Cheeky Chappy |
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Private Pike |
Young and gangly |
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Mrs Fox |
One of Jones best customers – of a certain age, might be well endowed, a little saucy with men. Very in time with Jones. Small speaking part |
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Ivy Samways |
Very quiet retiring younger girl, shop assistant, small speaking part |
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Edith Parish |
Blonde, ‘forthcoming’, cockney (if possible) works as an usherette in the cinema. |
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Mrs Gray |
Good looking, middle-aged woman with great charm, very neatly dressed. With an eye for the men – especially Mainwaring. Bigish part – shades of Brief Encounter and Casablanca |
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Miss Ironside |
Non speaking part – works at the Gas Board and is a ‘friend’ of Fraser |
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Mrs Mavis Pike |
Very close to Sergeant Wilson and mother of Private Pike |
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Waitress |
Can double up as the girl in the station café |
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Mrs Prosser |
Another good friend of Jones – similar age. Non speaking part |
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Serviceman |
Small speaking part (2 lines) can be one of U-Boat crew. |
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Other members of the platoon |
including Private Hancock and Private Sponge |
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Rail Passengers |
These will probably be the U-Boat sailors and the Wardens for the final Floral Dance scene. |
Finale – The Floral Dance – 18 pages and a piano
Lots of fun with a big sing song to end the show
|
Captain Mainwaring |
Officious and bald (or the jokes don’t work). A bald wig can be provided. |
|
Sergeant Wilson |
Smooth and urban |
|
Corporal Jones |
They don’t like it up em! |
|
Private Fraser |
Scottish and Dour |
|
Private Godfrey |
Very Old |
|
Private Walker |
Cheeky Chappy |
|
Private Pike |
Young and gangly |
|
Mrs Fox |
One of Jones best customers – of a certain age, might be well endowed, a little saucy with men. Very in time with Jones. Small speaking part |
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Chief Warden Hodges, ARP Warden |
Turn those lights off! Has a prominent part to play in this bit. |
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Mr Yeatman, The Verger |
Small but important interjections |
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Vicar |
Small speaking part but important for a joke |
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Mrs Mavis Pike |
Very close to Sergeant Wilson and mother of Private Pike |
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Mrs Hart |
Very small speaking part, probably also playing Miss Ironside in Act Two |
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Air Raid Wardens |
Probably the chaps who were the U-Boat sailors in Act One and the Rail Passengers in Act Two. |
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Other members of the platoon |
including Private Hancock and Private Sponge |
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All the other ladies |
Except Mrs Gray who will come on for a final sing song with the audience. |
